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In the searing heat of the Spanish capital, the warmest day of this year’s Madrid Open so far, Marta Kostyuk stepped on to the clay courts of the Caja Mágica determined to make a statement against her most prominent contemporary. By the end of a tense, difficult tussle, it had duly been delivered. Kostyuk, the 24th seed, produced an impressive performance to end Emma Raducanu’s tournament in round two with a 6-4, 2-6, 6-2 victory.
Although Raducanu fought well and maintained her composure until the end, a victory over Kostyuk would have marked her best career win outdoors on clay. She was ultimately defeated by a superior clay-court player who was far more comfortable playing her offensive game in fast conditions at Madrid’s elevated altitude. Afterwards Raducanu noted that she did not feel entirely comfortable on the surface.
“I think it’s positive to get through and play two matches on the outdoor clay courts,” she said. “I would say that it is pretty noticeable to me that I don’t necessarily feel very comfortable, but I think that’s something that I can improve on and work on.
“And it is my second proper clay season and the first one in three years. So I think I’m just trying to give myself a chance to play as many points as I can on it, and also [I need] time on the court training as well.”
This was a significant occasion considering the different paths the two players have taken in their first years on the tour. Kostyuk is only five months older than Raducanu and it was the Ukrainian who set the tone for their generation as a 15-year-old prodigy before Raducanu flitted past her to become the first and, so far, only player born in 2002 to win a grand slam title.
While Raducanu has struggled to back up her 2021 US Open triumph, Kostyuk has established herself as a solid, consistent presence around the top 30. They stepped onto court four at the Caja Mágica with pride at stake along with the usual points and prize money.
In warm, windy conditions on the uncovered outdoor court, Raducanu looked uncomfortable from the beginning as she lost her opening service game while Kostyuk burst into the match determined to take control of the baseline exchanges and force Raducanu onto the back foot.
The difference between their movement on the red dirt was particularly stark. Although Raducanu is a solid athlete, she struggled to change directions efficiently and slide into her shots when on the run, a total contrast to Kostyuk’s ease on the clay as she constantly absorbed Raducanu’s first strike and effectively flipped points from defence to attack.
“I found moving really difficult,” said Raducanu. “I felt like I was slipping around, but it was taking me a long time to get out of the corners and after the serve as well. I’m not really sure how to improve that, so I guess I’ll just take that back and try to work on it in the next week.”
Even in her discomfort, Raducanu fought well and put herself in position to contend for the match, her most confident stretch of attacking tennis yielding a third set. In the end, though, her opponent was too strong.
Raducanu remained in good spirits as she conducted her media duties in the immediate aftermath of the defeat, repeatedly stressing her intention to work harder on her clay‑court form. She plans to return home and prepare for the Italian Open, the final WTA 1000 event before Roland Garros.
After another week with Mark Petchey in her player box amid their continuing ad-hoc coaching arrangement, Raducanu was asked if he will accompany her in Rome: “Hopefully,” she replied.
Earlier on Friday, Katie Boulter, the British No 1, was unable to find her way past the defence and durability of Jasmine Paolini, the sixth seed and 2024 French Open finalist, with the 28-year-old losing 6-1, 6-2 in an hour. Sonay Kartal also lost in straight sets in a 6-3, 6-1 defeat by the 17th seed Elina Svitolina.
